System and method for cloud computing adaptive cloud services

ABSTRACT

Novel tools and techniques are provided for remotely configuring and orchestrating multifunctional cloud devices located on customer premises, in some cases, using a smart cloud adaptive device. In some embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device, which might have one or more wireless programmable radios configured to communicate with a network termination device, might communicate with a cloud configuration server over a network via the one or more wireless programmable radios (and, in some embodiments, through the network termination device). The smart cloud adaptive device might transmit device identification information associated with a customer and/or service codes indicative of services to be provided to the customer. The smart cloud adaptive device might receive one or more configuration files from the cloud configuration server based on the service codes, and enable functionality among a plurality of functionalities to provision the services, based on the one or more configuration files.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/977,284, filed Apr. 9, 2014, by Kevin M. McBride et al.,entitled, “Cloud Computing Adaptive Cloud Services,” the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to cloud networking devices,and more particularly to methods, systems, and computer software forconfiguring and orchestrating multifunctional cloud devices located oncustomer premises.

BACKGROUND

Provisioning Internet, television, and telephone services to residentialand commercial customers traditionally requires a service provider toconfigure and provide equipment such as set-top boxes (“STBs”), modems,voice over Internet protocol (“VoIP”) adapters, and other gatewaydevices. Oftentimes, these devices require the customer or a technicianto install and configure them on customer premises.

Conventional gateway devices come with pre-loaded firmware or otherwisewith some other pre-loaded configuration by the service provider ormanufacturer. Once installed, the devices' functions are limited so asto only be practicably used in their purpose-specific capacity as aresidential or commercial gateway device. As a result, the gatewaydevices have limited upgradability, and in many situations, cannot beused between different service providers or to receive different typesof services. This forces the customer to use multiple fixed-functionservice devices to receive upgraded or additional services, oralternatively for the customer to replace older equipment altogether.

Furthermore, as consumer devices increasingly become interconnected over“the Internet of Things,” these “smart” devices often require additionalfixed-function devices or components to enable their smartfunctionality. For example, smart devices can include any device (whichmay have smart functionality incorporated therein), including, but notlimited to, health monitoring devices such as heart monitoring implants,appliances, utility meters, automobiles, thermostats, alarms andsensors, power plugs and sockets, and home and commercial securitysystems. Each of these devices utilizes different applications and/orinterfaces for communication and also relies on different communicationsprotocols.

Hence, there is a need for an adaptive solution to configuring andprovisioning services via gateway devices, while also expanding thecapability and functionality of gateway devices beyond theirfixed-function implementations. In particular, a system is needed forautomatically configuring a gateway device capable of activatingmultiple services using different technologies on different serviceprovider networks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to a set of embodiments, a smart cloud adaptive device isprovided that allows for remote configuring or orchestrating, by aservice provider over a network, of multifunctional capabilities andfunctionalities on the smart cloud adaptive device (which is located ata customer premises).

In some embodiments, a smart cloud adaptive device configured tocommunicate with a cloud configuration server over a service providernetwork is provided. The smart cloud adaptive device may include one ormore wireless programmable radios for establishing communications with anetwork termination device. The smart cloud adaptive device transmitsdevice identification information associated with a customer and/orassociated with one or more service codes. The one or more service codesindicate one or more services to be provided to the customer. Inresponse, the smart cloud adaptive device receives one or moreconfiguration files from the cloud configuration server based on the oneor more service codes. Various hardware and services are enabled among aplurality of functionalities to provision the one or more services basedon the one or more configuration files.

According to another set of embodiments, a system for configuring asmart cloud adaptive device is provided. The system includes, but is notlimited to, a cloud server, network termination device, and an adaptivecloud device. The cloud configuration server hosts a plurality ofconfiguration files, each of which are associated with a respectiveservice code. The network termination device includes, withoutlimitation, devices such as a digital subscriber line accessmultiplexer, a cable modem termination system, or an optical linetermination that connects a customer premises to a service providernetwork, and in turn the cloud configuration server.

The adaptive cloud device might communicate with the network terminationdevice using one or more wireless programmable radios. The adaptivecloud device might, in some cases, communicate with the cloudconfiguration server over the service provider network via the one ormore wireless programmable radios. In some embodiments, the wirelessprogrammable radios may communicate with the cloud configuration servervia the network termination device.

The smart cloud adaptive device transmits device identificationinformation associated with a customer to the cloud configurationserver. The device identification information is further associated withone or more service codes that indicate one or more services to beprovided to the customer at the customer premises. The smart cloudadaptive device receives one or more configuration files from the cloudconfiguration server based on the one or more service codes. The smartcloud adaptive device then enables hardware and other functionalityneeded to provision the one or more services based on the one or moreconfiguration files.

A further set of embodiments provides a method of configuring andproviding services with a smart cloud adaptive device. The methodincludes, communicating, via the smart cloud adaptive device, with acloud configuration server. Device identification information istransmitted via the smart cloud adaptive device, wherein theidentification information is further associated with one or moreservice codes. The one or more service codes indicate one or moreservices to be provided to the customer. One or more configuration filesare received from the cloud configuration server by the smart cloudadaptive device. The configuration files are sent based on the one ormore service codes. Hardware and other functionality are enabled on thesmart cloud adaptive device based on the one or more configurationfiles.

The tools provided by various embodiments include, without limitation,methods, systems, and/or software products. Merely by way of example, amethod might comprise one or more procedures, any or all of which areexecuted by a computer system. Correspondingly, an embodiment mightprovide a computer system configured with instructions to perform one ormore procedures in accordance with methods provided by various otherembodiments. Similarly, a computer program might comprise a set ofinstructions that are executable by a computer system (and/or aprocessor therein) to perform such operations. In many cases, suchsoftware programs are encoded on physical, tangible, and/ornon-transitory computer readable media (such as, to name but a fewexamples, optical media, magnetic media, and/or the like).

In an aspect, a smart cloud adaptive device might comprise at least oneprocessor, one or more wireless programmable radios configured tocommunicate with a network termination device, and a non-transitorycomputer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable mediummight have encoded thereon computer software comprising a set ofinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causesthe smart cloud adaptive device to perform one or more operations. Theset of instructions might comprise instructions for communicating with acloud configuration server over a network via the one or more wirelessprogrammable radios and through the network termination device. The setof instructions might also comprise instructions for transmitting deviceidentification information associated with a customer and/or associatedwith one or more service codes. The one or more service codes mightindicate one or more services to be provided to the customer. The set ofinstructions might further comprise instructions for receiving one ormore configuration files from the cloud configuration server based onthe one or more service codes and instructions for enablingfunctionality among a plurality of functionalities to provision the oneor more services based on the one or more configuration files.

In some embodiments, the functionality might include one or more ofresidential gateway functionality, wireless access point functionality,set-top box functionality, Internet protocol telephony, sensory devicefunctionality, wireless tomography, and/or the like. According to someembodiments, instructions for enabling functionality among a pluralityof functionalities to provision the one or more services might compriseinstructions for enabling functionality among a plurality offunctionalities to provision at least two services simultaneously, basedon the at least one configuration file.

Merely by way of example, in some cases, the smart cloud adaptive devicemight further comprise a housing and an interface port. The housingmight be configured to plug into an existing power outlet for obtainingpower, while the interface port might be configured to allow other userdevices to receive the one or more services.

Another aspect might provide a method for adaptively configuring andproviding services with a smart cloud adaptive device. The method mightcomprise communicating, by a smart cloud adaptive device, with a cloudconfiguration server. The method might also comprise transmitting, withthe smart cloud adaptive device, device identification informationassociated with a customer. The device identification information mightbe further associated with one or more service codes. The one or moreservice codes might indicate one or more services to be provided to thecustomer. The method might further comprise receiving, with the smartcloud adaptive device, one or more configuration files from the cloudconfiguration server based on the one or more service codes, andenabling, with the smart cloud adaptive device, functionality among aplurality of functionalities to provision the one or more services basedon the one or more configuration files.

In some cases, the functionality might include one or more ofresidential gateway functionality, wireless access point functionality,set-top box functionality, Internet protocol telephony, sensory devicefunctionality, wireless tomography, and/or the like.

According to yet another aspect, a system for configuring a smart cloudadaptive device might be provided. The system might comprise a cloudconfiguration server, a network termination device, and an adaptivecloud device. The cloud configuration server might comprise a pluralityof configuration files, each being associated with a respective servicecode. The network termination device might connect a customer premisesto the cloud configuration server. The adaptive cloud device mightcomprise at least one processor, one or more wireless programmableradios configured to communicate with the network termination device,and a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium might have encoded thereon computer software,which might comprise a set of instructions that, when executed by the atleast one processor, causes the adaptive cloud device to perform one ormore operations.

The set of instructions might comprise instructions for communicatingwith the cloud configuration server over a network via the one or morewireless programmable radios. The one or more wireless programmableradios may communicate with the cloud configuration server via thenetwork termination device. The set of instructions might also compriseinstructions for transmitting device identification informationassociated with a customer to the cloud configuration server. The deviceidentification information might be further associated with one or moreservice codes. The one or more service codes might indicate one or moreservices to be provided to the customer at the customer premises. Theset of instructions might also comprise instructions for receiving oneor more configuration files from the cloud configuration server based onthe one or more service codes. The set of instructions might furthercomprise instructions for enabling hardware and other functionalityamong a plurality of functionalities to provision the one or moreservices based on the one or more configuration files.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodimentsdiscussed without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combination of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the above described features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particularembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals areused to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label isassociated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram of a smart cloud adaptive device,according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a smart cloud adaptive device, accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a network block diagram of the back end of a system forconfiguring and providing services to a smart cloud adaptive device, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a network block diagram of the client side of a system forconfiguring and providing services to a smart cloud adaptive device, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for a process of configuring and providingservices to a smart cloud adaptive device, in accordance with variousembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

While various aspects and features of certain embodiments have beensummarized above, the following detailed description illustrates a fewexemplary embodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in theart to practice such embodiments. The described examples are providedfor illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Inother instances, certain structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form. Several embodiments are described herein, and whilevarious features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should beappreciated that the features described with respect to one embodimentmay be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token,however, no single feature or features of any described embodimentshould be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, asother embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers herein used to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth, should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

Various embodiments provide tools and techniques for implementing asmart cloud adaptive device. In particular, the various embodimentsprovide for a smart cloud adaptive device configured to communicate witha cloud configuration server over a service provider network. The smartcloud adaptive device may include one or more wireless programmableradios for establishing communications with a network terminationdevice. The smart cloud adaptive device, in some embodiments, mighttransmit device identification information associated with a customerand/or associated with one or more service codes. The one or moreservice codes indicate one or more services to be provided to thecustomer. The smart cloud adaptive device might receive one or moreconfiguration files from the cloud configuration server based on the oneor more service codes. Various hardware and services are enabled among aplurality of functionalities to provision the one or more services basedon the one or more configuration files.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a smart cloud adaptive device and a method andsystem for configuring and providing service to the smart cloud adaptivedevice. FIGS. 1-5 may refer to examples of different embodiments thatinclude various components and steps, which can be consideredalternatives or which can be used in conjunction with one another in thevarious embodiments. Furthermore, the accompanying descriptions of FIGS.1-5 are provided for purposes of illustration and should not beconsidered to limit the scope of the different embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram illustrating a smart cloud adaptivedevice 100, in accordance with various embodiments. The smart cloudadaptive device 100 comprises a processor 105, memory 110, computerreadable media 115, input/output interfaces 120, a plurality of alarmsand sensors 125 a-125 n (collectively, 125), a wireless programmableradio 130, and/or communications subsystem 135.

Input/output interfaces 120 include any ports, connectors, andcommunication protocols and standards that may be used by the smartcloud adaptive device 100 and/or any user devices connected to the smartcloud adaptive device 100, to send and receive data related to a serviceneeded by the user devices, or otherwise for the user devices and smartcloud adaptive device 100 to communicate with each other and/or otherdevices. Input/output interfaces 120 may include, but are not limitedto, connectivity over Ethernet ports, universal serial bus (“USB”)ports, coaxial connector ports, RCA connector ports, high-definitionmultimedia interface (“HDMI”) ports, digital visual interface (“DVI”)ports, DisplayPort (“DP”) ports, video graphics array (“VGA”) connectorports, optical fiber connector ports, phone connector jacks, standardtelephone plugs or jacks, or any suitable interfaces capable oftransferring audio, video, and/or data signals.

The smart cloud adaptive device 100 also comprises a communicationssubsystem 135. The communications subsystem 135 may include or form partof one or more of the I/O interfaces 120. The communications subsystem135 can also include, without limitation, a modem, a network card(wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device, a wirelesscommunication device and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, a wireless wide areanetwork (“WWAN”) device, a long-term evolution (“LTE”) device, etc.),and/or the like. The communications subsystem 135 permits data to beexchanged with a local or wide area network, or with any connected userdevices.

The plurality of alarms and/or sensors 125 allow the smart cloudadaptive device to take measurements of the surrounding environment, aswell as to alert users, set off an alarm, or otherwise notify users ofcertain conditions. For example, sensors in alarm/sensor 125 caninclude, but are not limited to, smoke detectors, carbon monoxidedetectors, digital cameras, video recorders, motion detectors, noisedetectors, and/or radio frequency (“RF”)/acoustic/optical tomographydevices, or the like. The sensors of alarm/sensor 125 may be configured,monitored, or operated by a service provider, or sensor information maybe communicated to a service provider or a user device viacommunications subsystem 135 or input/output interfaces 120. In someembodiments, sensor information may be directly processed within thesmart cloud adaptive device 100 by processor 105.

Alarms in alarm/sensor 125 may include, but are not limited to, audible,visual, or other forms of alarms that alert a customer to a specificcondition based on the sensor information, or information from a userdevice connected to the smart cloud adaptive device 100 via input/outputinterfaces 120 or communications subsystem 135.

A wireless programmable radio 130 is provided in smart cloud adaptivedevice 100 configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more cloudconfiguration servers of at least one service provider. The wirelessprogrammable radio 130 may be a software defined radio (“SDR”), or otherprogrammable radio capable of establishing communications with the cloudconfiguration servers of each of the at least one service provider in amulticast and/or broadcast fashion simultaneously, or by establishing aconnection individually with each of the at least one service provider.The wireless programmable radio 130 may establish a connection to aservice provider controlled network termination device, including, butnot limited to, a cellular network base station, a digital subscriberline access multiplexer (“DSLAM”), cable modem termination system,optical line termination (“OLT”), a wireless node in a distributedantenna system (“DAS”), or other service provider controlled remoteterminal or network device at a central office (“CO”) or headend.Connections may be established by the wireless programmable radio 130over WiFi, WiMax, 3G or 4G (such as LTE), or other suitable connectionshaving an effective range to reach the various network terminationdevices. The wireless programmable radio 130 may connect to a specificnetwork termination device, multiple network termination devices, or aset of network termination devices, based on pre-loaded firmware orother code that initializes the wireless programmable radio 130 uponstartup. In yet other embodiments, the wireless programmable radios 130may be pre-configured to operate only with one or more specific serviceprovider's network termination devices.

In some embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 can be pluggeddirectly into and can receive power from a standard alternating current(“AC”) power plug/wall socket. In other embodiments, the smart cloudadaptive device 100 may be powered by an external power supply oradapter. In yet other embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 100may be integrated into a power strip, or at the end of an extensioncord. In each such embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 mayalso include one or more expansion plugs 140 so that other devices canstill be connected to the power plug/wall socket. In some furtherembodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 may also include abackup battery or other backup power supply to ensure continuedoperation in the event of a power outage or a power fluctuation.

Once powered, the wireless programmable radio 130 establishes aconnection with a network termination device. For example, a wirelessconnection may be established in a broadcast, multicast, or unicastfashion with multiple service providers. The wireless connection mayutilize any of a WiFi, 3G, 4G or other wireless data connection. Thewireless programmable radio 130 is able to communicate with a cloudconfiguration server via the network termination device. The wirelessprogrammable radio 130 transmits device identification information to acloud configuration server. The identification information may be uniqueto the particular smart cloud adaptive device 100, or may identify acustomer associated with the smart cloud adaptive device. The deviceidentification information may include a MAC address, a gateway IPaddress, a customer identification number, a customer account number,service codes, or other information that identifies a customer or theservices to be provided to the smart cloud adaptive device 100.

The cloud configuration server is able to push a configuration file(s)to the wireless programmable radio 130 based on the deviceidentification information. Thus, images of various customer premiseequipment having virtualized architectures can be pushed to and executedby the smart cloud adaptive device 100. Thus, an image of the customerpremise equipment can be sent to the smart cloud adaptive device 100 asthe configuration file(s). In such embodiments, the smart cloud adaptivedevice functions as a host machine managing one or more “guest” virtualmachines. Thus, when loaded with a configuration file, the smart cloudadaptive device can act as any of the one or more “guest” virtualmachines providing connectivity with user devices via the variousinput/output interfaces 120 or communications subsystems 135.

For example, according to one set of embodiments, the wirelessprogrammable radio 130 may establish a connection to a local orneighborhood DSLAM. In some embodiments, the DSLAM may act as a cloudconfiguration server and may host the configuration file(s). In otherembodiments, the DSLAM may allow the wireless programmable radio 130 tocommunicate with a cloud configuration server via a provider networkassociated with the DSLAM. The wireless programmable radio 130 mayconnect to a specific service provider's DSLAM, or other networktermination device, based on pre-loaded firmware or other codeindicating how to initialize the wireless programmable radio 130. In yetother embodiments, the wireless programmable radio 130 may connect toand receive multiple service offerings from more than one serviceprovider and provide the customer with an option to choose betweenvarious service providers via a portal or dedicated webpage. In someembodiments, the network termination device of a single Internet,television, and/or telephone service provider may push a serviceoffering portal to the smart cloud adaptive device. The service offeringportal may present service offerings from other affiliated serviceproviders. For example, various home/commercial security serviceproviders, video service providers, Internet service providers, andtelephone service providers may be presented from the portal. In otherembodiments, the service offering portal may present a plurality ofdifferent Internet, video, telephone, security, and other serviceproviders for selection by the user. Once the user selects the desiredservice provider, the wireless programmable radio 130 may be configuredto establish a connection to the network termination device of theselected service provider, or may otherwise reach a cloud configurationserver of the selected service provider. Localized service offerings maybe retrieved from the network termination device or cloud configurationserver, or pre-loaded service offerings may be presented automaticallyby the smart cloud adaptive device before a connection is established.The service offerings may include, but are not limited to, a descriptionof the various services, tiers of services, service packages, and theprice/rates charged for the corresponding services.

The wireless programmable radio 130 then receives a configuration filevia the selected or otherwise connected to DSLAM, that, when run by theprocessor 105, causes the smart cloud adaptive device to function as awireless gateway. Thus, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 may connectto the DSLAM via a digital subscriber line (“DSL”) input/outputinterface 120 and start receiving service. Communications subsystem 135may then provide WiFi connectivity to user devices within range toreceive DSL Internet service. In some further embodiments, theinput/output interfaces 120 may also include Ethernet ports to providewired connectivity for user devices. Thus, once powered on, the smartcloud adaptive device 100 automatically configures itself as a wirelessresidential gateway.

According to another set of embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device100 may configure itself as a soft STB. If Internet service is alreadyprovided by a separate gateway device, the smart cloud adaptive device100 can connect to the Internet wirelessly or through a wired connection(via the input/output interfaces 120) to the separate gateway device. IfInternet service is already activated to the household, the smart cloudadaptive device 100 may itself connect to the Internet or wide areanetwork (“WAN”) via the service provider's DSL or cable line. Otherwise,if no Internet service is requested or available at the time, thewireless programmable radio 130 may establish a connection to a networktermination device as described above with respect to configuringInternet service via the DSLAM.

Upon connection to the Internet or network termination device,communication is established with a cloud configuration server. Deviceidentification information is transmitted to the cloud configurationserver. The cloud configuration server determines whether to activate orprovide offers for television/video service to the smart cloud adaptivedevice, based on the device identification information. The wirelessprogrammable radio 130 may connect to a specific service provider'snetwork termination device or to a specific service provider's cloudconfiguration servers over the Internet, based on pre-loaded firmware orother code indicating how to initialize the wireless programmable radio130. In yet other embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 mayconnect to and receive multiple service offerings from more than oneservice provider and provide the customer with an option to choosebetween various service providers via the Internet or via variousnetwork termination devices.

The smart cloud adaptive device 100 then receives a configuration filevia the wireless programmable radio 130 or communications subsystem 135,based on the selection of the user. The configuration file, when run bythe processor 105, causes the smart cloud adaptive device to function asa soft STB. Television/video service may be activated at either thesmart adaptive device 100 (based on the configuration file) or cloudconfiguration server (based on the device identification information).Thus, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 automatically configuresitself as an STB upon being connected at a customer premise.

Once configured, various user devices are able to connect toinput/output interfaces 120 to receive television/video services. Insuch embodiments, input/output interfaces 120 are capable of deliveringvideo and/or audio information. Such input/output interfaces 120include, without limitation, HDMI ports, IEEE 1394 (also known asFirewire) ports, a coaxial RF television connection ports, a displayport interface ports, component video/RCA connection ports, opticalaudio ports, and other such interfaces. Once user devices are connectedto the smart cloud adaptive device 100 via the input/output interfaces120, and based on the configuration file loaded onto the smart cloudadaptive device 100, the processor may cause the user device to displaya specific user interface such as an electronic programming guide,and/or service provider specific programming.

The smart cloud adaptive device 100, as described above, may beconfigured to function as both a wireless residential gateway and STBsimultaneously. In additional embodiments, the smart cloud adaptivedevice 100 may be further configured to simultaneously function as anadditional gateway device, such as a VoIP adapter. In other embodiments,multiple smart cloud adaptive devices 100 may be utilized in differentparts of the customer premises with each smart cloud adaptive device 100being configured to provide different functions or different sets offunctionality.

In some embodiments, multiple smart cloud adaptive devices 100 may beinterconnected with one another to provide a single service. Forexample, according to one set of embodiments, one or more smart cloudadaptive devices 100 may be deployed as part of a security system. Eachof the one or more smart cloud adaptive devices 100 may be distributedaround the premises. For example, in one embodiment, smart cloudadaptive devices 100 may be implemented as part of a shopping mallsecurity system. A plurality of smart cloud adaptive devices 100 may bedistributed around a shopping mall to provide coverage of the desiredareas of the shopping mall. According to one set of embodiments, each ofthe plurality of smart cloud adaptive devices 100 may be individuallyconnected to a service provider network. In another set of embodiments,one or a set of the smart cloud adaptive devices 100 may be connected toa service provider network, thus each acting as a gateway/routing deviceto which all other smart cloud adaptive devices 100 are connected. Inother sets of embodiments, each of the plurality of smart cloud adaptivedevices 100 may be coupled to separate gateway/routing devices. Theplurality of smart cloud adaptive devices 100 may communicate wirelesslyor via a wired connection.

Each of the smart cloud adaptive devices 100 are provisioned withalarms/sensors 125 that include sound pressure sensor capable ofdetecting ambient atmospheric pressure levels caused by sound waves. Inone embodiment, the sound pressure sensors 125 are configured to reportor otherwise report sound readings above a threshold. In this case, thethreshold is a pre-determined sound pressure level (“SPL”), measured indecibels (dB), corresponding to, for example, gunshots or explosions, orthe like. For example, in some embodiments, the threshold for the soundpressure sensors may be set to 140 dB. If the sound pressure sensor 125detects a noise reaching or exceeding the 140 dB threshold level, thesmart cloud adaptive device 100 will report the event appropriately. Forexample, in some embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 mayrelay the information to the provider of the security services over anetwork connection. In other embodiments, the smart cloud adaptivedevice 100 may be configured to directly alert government lawenforcement agencies and police departments as configured by the user orthe configuration file used during initialization. In some embodiments,the alarm/sensor 125 may also include auditory and visual alerts thatare triggered when the 140 dB threshold is exceeded. In furtherembodiments, the alarm sensor 125 may include colored lights, including,without limitation, light emitting diodes that indicate to shopping mallpatrons whether to proceed or move away from a particular area ordirection.

In a home or residential setting, a plurality of smart cloud adaptivedevices 100 may be deployed to monitor a broad area in or around thehome, or be limited to a single room. In one set of embodiments, thesmart cloud adaptive device 100 may include sensors/alarms 125 thatinclude a tomographic device. The tomographic device may be configuredto create a tomographic mapping of the area surrounding the sensor 125.In some embodiments, the configuration file may cause the wirelessprogrammable radio 130 or communications subsystem 135 to comprise partof the sensor 125. For example, an RF radio may be employed to create atomographic mapping of the interior of a room. In other embodiments,acoustic or optical tomographic devices may be employed. Thus, thesensor 125 may be configured to detect changes in its physicalsurroundings using such tomographic techniques. Sensors 125 may alsofurther include digital cameras (such as infrared cameras), videorecorders, thermometers, motion detectors, and noise detectors that maybe combined with each other using sensor fusion techniques to provide ahome security solution. Thus, the sensors 125 may be used to monitordoors, windows, and other entrances, as well as changes to its physicalsurroundings, such as furniture placement and the detection of objectsaround the room. Upon the detection of a triggering condition, such as abreak-in, the plurality smart cloud adaptive devices 100 may beinterconnected and may report such events as described above withrespect to the shopping mall security implementation.

It is to be understood that functionality and operation of sensor 125 asdescribed in each of the above contexts or embodiments may beinterchanged or combined as desired. For example, in some embodiments,sensors 125 may include both sound pressure sensors and a tomographicdevice so that both sound pressure level and tomographic monitoring canbe provided.

In the context of home automation, smart cloud adaptive devices 100 mayinclude expansion plugs 140 or multiple expansion plugs 140 as part ofan integrated power strip, according to one set of embodiments. Onceplugged into an existing power plug or socket, the smart cloud adaptivedevice 100 may be loaded with a configuration file to smartly managewhether and how to provide power to devices plugged into smart cloudadaptive device 100. In some embodiments, the smart cloud adaptivedevice 100 may detect whether a user device is in an idle or sleep stateand remove power to that user device accordingly. In other embodiments,the smart cloud adaptive device 100 may provide power usage measurementsin real-time or process power usage measurements for further processing.In other embodiments, the power to specific user devices or expansionports 140 may be selectively turned on or off based upon user rules, oras provided in a configuration file(s).

According to another set of embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device100 may further be configured to operate as a utility meter, or may bein communication directly with a separate smart utility meter viacommunications subsystem 135 such that the separate smart utility meterdoes not require an Internet connection or other network connection forcommunication. The smart cloud adaptive device 100 may also beconfigured to operate various user devices such as televisions, gamingconsoles, media players, and/or set-top boxes; heating, ventilation, andair conditioning (“HVAC”) systems; home appliances; security cameras andsensors; sprinkler systems; lighting systems; among others. Thus, thesmart cloud adaptive device 100 may act as a home entertainment system;thermostat; appliance control system and utility meter; security system;gardening control system; lighting control system; and/or the like.Sensors 125 are provided and operated as needed to provide suchfunctionality. In some embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 100may include a display and/or controls for controlling such features. Inother embodiments, control over these features may be accessible via adisplay connected to an input/output interface 120, or as a menu/userinterface accessible by the customer utilizing the smart cloud adaptivedevice 100 as an STB. In further embodiments, a webpage or portal may beprovided to allow the customer to control the home automation features.

In yet another set of embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device mayalso be used in conjunction with health monitoring user devices,including, without limitation, a heart rate monitor, an oximeter, bloodpressure sensor, and a blood glucose meter, among others. In such cases,the communications subsystem 135, sensors 125, and/or wirelessprogrammable radio 130 may be in communication with the healthmonitoring device. For example, the health monitoring user device mayutilize various communication standards that include, withoutlimitation, near-field communication (“NFC”), Bluetooth™, or WiFi, andthe like. Thus, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 may receive aconfiguration file(s) that allows communication with the healthmonitoring device using the appropriate communication standard. Forexample, heart rate monitoring information may be transmitted to thesmart cloud adaptive device in real-time over a Bluetooth™ connection.If a heart rate above or below a certain threshold is detected, thesmart cloud adaptive device may contact emergency medical servicesand/or alert a specific service provider to the condition. In someembodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 may communicate theevent via a network connection provided by communications subsystem 135.In other embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 100 may establishdirect communication to a service provider node or emergency servicesvia wireless programmable radio 130.

It is to be understood that in each of the embodiments, gateway,security, home automation, health monitoring, and other user devicefunctionality are provided by way of illustration only. In otherembodiments, the above described functionality may be switched,combined, or added to other services and functionality as required bythe customer or service provider.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the smart cloud adaptive device200, according to various embodiments. Smart cloud adaptive device 200of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes, without limitation, housing205; expansion socket 210; communication port(s) 215 (which may beutilized by the communications subsystem 135 and/or as part of theinput/output interfaces 120, or the like), with the communicationport(s) 215 having an Ethernet port 220; various input/output interfaceports 225 a-225 c (225 collectively) in the form of a USB port 225 a,HDMI port 225 b, and coaxial plug 225 c; sensors and/or alarms 230; andan RF antenna 235; or the like. The smart cloud adaptive device 200 mayalso include a power plug or socket on the backside (not shown) of thehousing 205 for receiving power, and (in some cases) various other plugsor socket as well, such as additional Ethernet ports, telephone lineinputs, television inputs, etc., for providing the various services andrelated functions. In some instances, only the power plug or socket isprovided, with data, voice, video signals, and/or the like beingcommunicated via the RF antenna 235. In some embodiments, instead of (orin addition to) the power plug or socket, a battery, a set of batteries,or the like may be utilized.

In FIG. 2, housing 205 is depicted as a rectangular box around the sizeof a standard wall power socket. However, as described above withrespect to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the housing 205 may be of othershapes and/or may take different form factors, such as a power strip, orin some instances may be integrated directly into the walls of acommercial premises. In some embodiments, the smart cloud adaptivedevice 200 may be plugged directly into a wall power socket. In otherembodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 200 may be positioned awayfrom a wall power socket, for example hung on a wall of the customerpremises or attached to the ceiling. As such, it is to be understood theform factor of the housing 205 does not in any way limit the positioningand/or operation of the smart cloud adaptive device 200 and is notlimited in any way to the form factors described above.

The housing 205 protects and houses the internal components of the smartcloud adaptive device 200, such as the processor 105, system memory 110,computer readable media 115, underlying hardware of the input/outputinterfaces 120 and communications subsystem 135, sensors and alarms 125,230, and the receiver, transmitter, and/or transceiver for the wirelessprogrammable radio 130 (e.g., antenna 235), or the like.

The antenna 235 receives feed signals from the radio transmitter of thewireless programmable radio 130 and/or the communications subsystem 135.The antenna 235 is depicted as an external antenna for the sake ofsimplicity. It is to be understood the antenna 235 may comprise multipleantennas having multiple different structures, and is not to be limitedin any way to the depicted external structure. For example, the antennamay be housed internally, integrated into housing 205, and/or formed ona printed circuit board (“PCB”) of the various components. Any antennadesign, known to those in the art, and capable of use with wirelessprogrammable radios 120 may be utilized in conjunction with the smartcloud adaptive device 200 including, but not limited to, variousmicrostrip/patch antennas, or the like.

Each of the input/output ports 225 may be used for either incoming oroutgoing communications, and may also comprise part of thecommunications subsystem 135 and/or wireless programmable radio 130. Thedepicted input/output ports 225 are provided by way of example only, andare not to be understood as limiting the input/output ports 225 innumber or by type to the above described embodiments. Furthermore, eventhough one expansion socket 210 is depicted with respect to FIG. 2, itis to be understood that in other embodiments, multiple expansionsockets 210 may be provided and is in no way limited to the number ofexpansion sockets 210 in the embodiments described above.

FIG. 3 illustrates a network block diagram of a back end system 300 forconfiguring and providing services to a smart cloud adaptive device, inaccordance with various embodiments. A plurality of smart cloud adaptivedevices 305 a-305 n (305 collectively) are coupled to a networktermination device 315. Cloud adaptive device 305 a may directly connectto network termination device 315 that is in range of its wirelessprogrammable radio 130. In other embodiments, the smart cloud adaptivedevice may establish a connection to a network termination device 315via a local network comprising part of network 310. Smart cloud adaptivedevice 305 n may not be able to directly communicate with networktermination device 315 and must connect to a cloud configuration server320 over the Internet or other wide area network comprised by network310. In yet other embodiments, smart cloud adaptive device 305 n mayconnect to the network termination device 315 via the Internet or otherwide area network of network 310.

Network termination device 315 includes local, geographically limited,service provider controlled remote terminals or network devices locatedat a service provider central office. Such network termination devicescan include, without limitation, one or more of a cellular network basestation, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (“DSLAM”), cablemodem termination system, optical line termination (“OLT”), and/or awireless node in a distributed antenna system (“DAS”). In one set ofembodiments, the network termination device 315 communicates, or allowsthe smart cloud adaptive devices 305 to communicate, with cloudconfiguration server 320 to identify the smart cloud adaptive device 305and provide configuration files from the cloud configuration server tothe smart cloud adaptive device 305. In an alternative set ofembodiments, the cloud configuration server 320 may be integrated withthe network termination device 315 such that network termination device315 may configure or provide configuration files for smart cloudadaptive devices 305. The cloud configuration server 320 may beconfigured to receive smart cloud adaptive device identificationinformation and may provide configuration files based on the deviceidentification information and service codes that indicate what servicesto configure for each of the respective smart cloud adaptive devices 305a-305 n.

FIG. 3 depicts a single network termination device 315, cloudconfiguration server 320, service provider server 325, and providerdatabase 330 by way of example only. In other embodiments, multiplenetwork termination devices 315, cloud configuration servers 320,service provider servers 325, and provider databases 330 may be used.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive devices 305may be pre-programmed to communicate with one or more specific networktermination devices 315 from one or more specific service providers, orto one or more specific cloud configuration servers 320. In otherembodiments, the smart cloud adaptive devices 305 may communicate to oneor more specific network termination devices 315 or cloud configurationservers 320 based on user selections of services and/or serviceproviders.

Once configured with a configuration file, the smart cloud adaptivedevices 305 are able to start providing services and to communicate withthe service provider server 325 over the Internet or other wide areanetwork 310. Provider database 330 may store service information, suchas service tiers and packages associated with a respective smart cloudadaptive device 305 a-305 n.

FIG. 4 is a network block diagram of the client side of the smart cloudadaptive device system 400. Coupled to smart cloud adaptive devices 405a-405 n (collectively, 405) are a variety of user devices 410-430.According to one set of embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive devices405 a through 405 n may be a part of the same customer premises, witheach of the smart cloud adaptive devices 405 a through 405 n beingconfigured to provide one or more different services. In anotherembodiment, smart cloud adaptive device 405 a through smart cloudadaptive device 405 n may be implemented in different customer premisesand/or for different customers. In some embodiments, the smart cloudadaptive devices 405 may be connected to one or more user devices, oralternatively, to no user devices. The smart cloud adaptive devices 405may also provide one or more services to each of the one or more userdevices. The network 435 may comprise a local area network, a wide areanetwork, the Internet, a cloud-based network, a service providernetwork, or any other network which may be accessed by the wirelessprogrammable radio or communications subsystem of the smart cloudadaptive devices 405. Thus, it is to be understood that the arrangementdepicted in FIG. 4 is for illustrative purposes only and is in no wayintended to limit the scope of the embodiments.

In FIG. 4, customer devices 410, display devices 415, and customerappliances 420 are shown connected to smart cloud adaptive device 405 a.Customer devices 410, display devices 415, and customer appliances 420may additionally receive power from power sockets in the smart cloudadaptive device 405 a. Customer device 410 may include any consumer oruser devices, including, without limitation, consumer electronics,handheld devices, smartphones, tablets, personal computers, healthmonitoring devices, lights and fixtures, and/or other like devices thatmay be electronically controlled or may communicate electronically. Invarious embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 405 a may act as agateway device allowing the customer devices to access a wide areanetwork 435, like the Internet. In other embodiments, the smart cloudadaptive device 405 a may function as a local area network (“LAN”)router so that connected consumer devices 410 may communicate to otherdevices on the LAN 435. In yet further embodiments, the smart cloudadaptive device 405 a may act as a wireless hotspot allowing consumerdevices to access the Internet through a mobile broadband network usinga protocol such as 4G LTE or the like. Alternatively, the smart cloudadaptive device 405 a may forward information over 435 to a serviceprovider server via network 435 for processing by a service provider.

Display devices 415 may include any device capable of displaying visualcontent as provided by the smart cloud adaptive device 405 a. Suchdevices may include, without limitation, televisions, various monitorsand displays, and/or integrated screens on the smart cloud adaptivedevice 405 a, or the like. In these embodiments, the smart cloudadaptive device 405 a may be configured to function as a set-top box orother device for receiving/providing video content and services. Forexample, in various embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 405 amay be configured to receive television service. Television service maybe initialized and/or authorized based on the configuration file(s)received by the smart cloud adaptive device 405 a and/or deviceidentification information associated with the smart cloud adaptivedevice 405 a. Video content may be received via network 435 or over acable or satellite connection to the smart cloud adaptive device,depending on the type of video service and service provider selected bythe customer using the smart cloud adaptive device 405 a. In otherembodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device 405 a may provide a userinterface, webpage or portal on a display device for a customer to makeconfiguration and service selections on the smart cloud adaptive device405 a.

Customer appliances 420 may include any appliances on the customerpremises that may be automated or controlled electronically via thesmart cloud adaptive device 405 a. Customer appliances 420 may include,without limitation, smart refrigerators, smart HVAC systems, smartwashers, smart driers, and/or smart dishwashers, or the like. Theappliances may be controlled remotely through a portal or webpageprovided by the smart cloud adaptive device 405 a, or the customerappliances may communicate with, or access the Internet, via the smartcloud adaptive device so that a customer may remotely control thecustomer appliances 420 via an Internet portal provided by a separateservice provider.

Smart cloud adaptive device 405 n may be connected to utility meters 425and may also be configured to monitor doors/windows 430 via its sensors.Utility meters 425 may include electricity, gas, and/or water meters.The smart cloud adaptive device 405 n may be configured to controland/or monitor the usage of specific utilities by different devices, oraccording to a set schedule. Smart cloud adaptive device 405 n mayinclude one or more sensors, such as a tomographic device as describedabove, cameras, heat sensors, and/or motion detectors, or the like tomonitor entrances to a customer premises such as doors and windows 430.In this role, the smart cloud adaptive device 405 n may function as asecurity system, as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for configuring and providing serviceswith a smart cloud adaptive device, according to various embodiments. Atblock 505, the smart cloud adaptive device communicates with an at leastone cloud configuration server. As described above, the smart cloudadaptive device establishes a connection to the at least one cloudconfiguration server directly or via a network termination device. Inone embodiment, the smart cloud adaptive device may also bepre-configured to establish connections to one or more network specifictermination devices or cloud configuration servers as determined by theservice provider and/or vendor. In yet another embodiment, the smartcloud adaptive device may establish communications with cloud servers ornetwork termination devices according to customer selections as receivedby the smart cloud adaptive device.

At optional block 510, at least one service offer may be received by thesmart cloud adaptive device over the connection to the at least oneservice provider network. The at least one service offer may betransmitted by a network termination device or cloud configurationserver. One or more of the at least one service offer may be accepted bythe customer and provisioned accordingly to the smart cloud adaptivedevice, as will be described in more detail below.

At block 515, the smart cloud adaptive device transmits deviceidentification information and/or service codes to the at least onecloud configuration server. The identification information uniquelyidentifies a smart cloud adaptive device or a set of smart cloudadaptive devices. For example, in one set of embodiments, theidentification information may uniquely identify a particular smartcloud adaptive device of a plurality of smart cloud devices. In otherembodiments, the identification information may identify all smart clouddevices deployed at particular customer premises, a particular area of acustomer premises, or all smart cloud devices associated with a customeracross multiple customer premises. In further embodiments, the deviceidentification information may identify any combination of the above.

According to some embodiments, service codes may identify the servicesto be provisioned to the particular smart cloud adaptive device or setof smart cloud adaptive devices. Service codes may be pre-loaded ontothe smart cloud adaptive devices, or may be transmitted based uponcustomer selections for services to be provided. Service codes may beunique to each of a plurality of smart cloud adaptive devices, or may betransmitted by all or a set of the plurality of smart cloud adaptivedevices to receive a service. In some embodiments, the deviceidentification information may include or otherwise indicate servicecodes, while in other embodiments, the device identification informationand service codes may be separately transmitted.

At block 520, the smart cloud adaptive device receives one or moreconfiguration files from the at least one cloud configuration serverbased on the service codes and/or device identification information. Theconfiguration file is an image of one or more customer premise equipmenthaving a virtualized architecture that can be pushed to, and executedby, the smart cloud adaptive device. Thus, an image of the customerpremise equipment corresponding to the one or more services indicated bythe service code and/or device identification information is sent to thesmart cloud adaptive device in the configuration file.

At block 525, hardware functionality of the smart cloud adaptive deviceis configured based on the received configuration files. Thus, the smartcloud adaptive device functions as a host machine managing one or moreguest virtual machines. When loaded with a configuration file, the smartcloud adaptive device can act as any of the one or more guest virtualmachines providing connectivity with user devices via the variousinput/output interfaces or communications subsystems, and utilizing thesmart cloud adaptive device's one or more sensors and alarms.

At optional block 530, sensor information from the smart cloud device'sone or more sensors and alarms may be transmitted by the smart cloudadaptive device to an at least one service provider as part of receivinga service. The sensor information may be transmitted directly to anetwork termination device of the service provider via its wirelessprogrammable radio, or over the Internet or other network via either thewireless programmable radio or communications subsystem.

At optional block 535, at least one instruction for a user device orcustomer device in communication with the smart cloud adaptive devicemay be received by the smart cloud adaptive device, based on the sensorinformation. The smart cloud adaptive device may then forward the atleast one instruction to the user device via one or more of aninput/output interface, communications subsystem, or wirelessprogrammable radio through which the use device is connected to thesmart cloud adaptive device.

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect toexemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous modifications are possible. For example, the methods andprocesses described herein may be implemented using hardware components,software components, and/or any combination thereof. Further, whilevarious methods and processes described herein may be described withrespect to particular structural and/or functional components for easeof description, methods provided by various embodiments are not limitedto any particular structural and/or functional architecture, but insteadcan be implemented on any suitable hardware, firmware, and/or softwareconfiguration. Similarly, while certain functionality is ascribed tocertain system components, unless the context dictates otherwise, thisfunctionality can be distributed among various other system componentsin accordance with the several embodiments.

Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes describedherein are described in a particular order for ease of description,unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may bereordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments.Moreover, the procedures described with respect to one method or processmay be incorporated within other described methods or processes;likewise, system components described according to a particularstructural architecture and/or with respect to one system may beorganized in alternative structural architectures and/or incorporatedwithin other described systems. Hence, while various embodiments aredescribed with—or without—certain features for ease of description andto illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the variouscomponents and/or features described herein with respect to a particularembodiment can be substituted, added, and/or subtracted from among otherdescribed embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise.Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are describedabove, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to coverall modifications and equivalents within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A smart cloud adaptive device comprising: atleast one processor; one or more wireless programmable radios configuredto communicate with a network termination device; a non-transitorycomputer readable medium having encoded thereon computer softwarecomprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, causes the smart cloud adaptive device to perform one or moreoperations, the set of instructions comprising: instructions forcommunicating with a cloud configuration server over a network via theone or more wireless programmable radios and through the networktermination device; instructions for transmitting, from the smart cloudadaptive device located at a customer premises, device identificationinformation associated with a customer, wherein the deviceidentification information is further associated with one or moreservice codes, the one or more service codes indicating one or moreservices to be provided to the customer; instructions for receiving,with the smart cloud adaptive device located at the customer premises,one or more configuration files from the cloud configuration serverbased on the one or more service codes; and instructions for enabling,on the smart cloud adaptive device located at the customer premises,hardware and functionality, which are hardware and functionalityassociated with a dedicated device, among a plurality of hardware andfunctionalities to provision the one or more services based on the oneor more configuration files, wherein, once the hardware andfunctionality are enabled, the smart cloud adaptive device located atthe customer premises reconfigures to perform the enabled functionality,wherein the smart cloud adaptive device is a physical hardware devicelocated at the customer premises, and wherein the smart cloud adaptivedevice is unassociated with the dedicated device until the hardware andfunctionality are enabled, on the smart cloud adaptive device.
 2. Thesmart cloud adaptive device of claim 1, wherein the functionalityincludes residential gateway functionality.
 3. The smart cloud adaptivedevice of claim 1, wherein the functionality includes wireless accesspoint functionality.
 4. The smart cloud adaptive device of claim 1,wherein the functionality includes set-top box functionality.
 5. Thesmart cloud adaptive device of claim 1, wherein the functionalityincludes Internet protocol telephony.
 6. The smart cloud adaptive deviceof claim 1, wherein the functionality includes sensory devicefunctionality.
 7. The smart cloud adaptive device of claim 1, whereinthe functionality includes wireless tomography.
 8. The smart cloudadaptive device of claim 1, wherein instructions for enablingfunctionality among a plurality of functionalities to provision the oneor more services comprise instructions for enabling functionality amonga plurality of functionalities to provision at least two servicessimultaneously, based on the at least one configuration file.
 9. Thesmart cloud adaptive device of claim 1, further comprising: a housing,the housing being configured to plug into an existing power outlet forobtaining power; and an interface port, the interface port beingconfigured to allow other user devices to receive the one or moreservices.
 10. A method of adaptively configuring customer premisesequipment, the method comprising: communicating, via a smart cloudadaptive device located at the customer premises, with a cloudconfiguration server, wherein the smart cloud adaptive device is aphysical hardware device located at the customer premises; transmitting,with the smart cloud adaptive device located at the customer premises,device identification information associated with a customer, whereinthe device identification information is further associated with one ormore service codes, the one or more service codes indicating one or moreservices to be provided to the customer; receiving, with the smart cloudadaptive device located at the customer premises, one or moreconfiguration files from the cloud configuration server based on the oneor more service codes; and enabling, on the smart cloud adaptive devicelocated at the customer premises, hardware and functionality, which arehardware and functionality associated with a dedicated device, among aplurality of hardware and functionalities to provision the one or moreservices based on the one or more configuration files, wherein, once thehardware and functionality are enabled, the smart cloud adaptive devicelocated at the customer premises reconfigures to perform the enabledfunctionality, and wherein the smart cloud adaptive device isunassociated with the dedicated device until the hardware andfunctionality are enabled, on the smart cloud adaptive device.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the functionality includes residentialgateway functionality.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein thefunctionality includes wireless access point functionality.
 13. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the functionality includes set-top boxfunctionality.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the functionalityincludes Internet protocol telephony.
 15. The method of claim 10,wherein the functionality includes sensory device functionality.
 16. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the functionality includes wirelesstomography.
 17. A system for configuring a smart cloud adaptive device,the system comprising: a cloud configuration server comprising aplurality of configuration files, each of the plurality of configurationfiles being associated with a respective service code; a networktermination device connecting a customer premises to the cloudconfiguration server; a smart cloud adaptive device, wherein the smartcloud adaptive device is a physical hardware device located at thecustomer premises, comprising: at least one processor; one or morewireless programmable radios configured to communicate with the networktermination device; a non-transitory computer readable medium havingencoded thereon computer software comprising a set of instructions that,when executed by the at least one processor, causes the smart cloudadaptive device to perform one or more operations, the set ofinstructions comprising: instructions for communicating with the cloudconfiguration server over a network via the one or more wirelessprogrammable radios and via the network termination device; instructionsfor transmitting, from the smart cloud adaptive device located at thecustomer premises, device identification information associated with acustomer, wherein the device identification information is furtherassociated with one or more service codes, the one or more service codesindicating the one or more services to be provided to the customer atthe customer premises; instructions for receiving, with the smart cloudadaptive device located at the customer premises, one or moreconfiguration files from the cloud configuration server based on the oneor more service codes; and instructions for enabling, on the smart cloudadaptive device located at the customer premises, hardware andfunctionality, which are hardware and functionality associated with adedicated device, among a plurality of hardware and functionalities toprovision the one or more services based on the one or moreconfiguration files, wherein, once the hardware and functionality areenabled, the smart cloud adaptive device located at the customerpremises reconfigures to perform the enabled functionality, and whereinthe smart cloud adaptive device is a generic device unassociated withthe dedicated device until the hardware and functionality are enabled,on the smart cloud adaptive device.
 18. The system of claim 17, whereinthe network termination device is a digital subscriber line accessmultiplexer located in a central office.
 19. The system of claim 17,wherein the one or more wireless programmable radios are configured tocommunicate with the network termination device via a residentialgateway.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the smart cloud adaptivedevice further comprises: a housing, the housing being configured toplug into existing home power outlets for obtaining power; and aninterface port, the interface port being configured to allow other userdevices to receive the one or more services.